As a kid, when others were watching MTV (I remember the first time I saw “Baby Got Back,” before it was banned, at my sitter’s house), I was watching a math-based children’s program called “Square One TV.” I was always a bit of a math junkie, and the show had it all: music videos by famous singers, recurring segments, corny humor, and the cornerstone at the end of each episode, Mathnet. Continue reading
Enjoying the new commute
The company for which I’m employed, Pixafy, moved offices in September. Unlike the last move, which was literally a block uptown from the previous office, but both were around 31st Street and Park Avenue South, this time we made a larger move and ended up at 53rd Street and 7th Avenue, putting us right outside of Times Square. The adjustment to the commute over, I’ve been increasingly taking in what my commute now contains. Continue reading
Christmas Present: Cascada’s ‘Last Christmas’
Today’s Christmas Present looks at a group that had some success breaking through with dance music in the U.S., Cascada. The group released a Christmas album in 2012 called “It’s Christmas Time” that largely eschews the rhythmic music they’re known for, to mediocre results, but it’s their rendition of “Last Christmas,” recorded during their hey day, that prompts this entry. Continue reading
Hank & Cupcakes’ ‘Countdown’ has arrived
Last month I shared updates about Hank & Cupcakes’ upcoming second album, “Cash for Gold,” and noted the first single, “Countdown,” was on the way. Friday, that single was released on iTunes and other digital outlets. Continue reading
Rebecca Black finally makes obvious follow-up: ‘Saturday’
It’s taken almost three years, but internet viral sensation Rebecca Black, almost universally panned for her song “Friday,” which ignited careers that both her and producer Patrice Wilson have heavily leveraged since, has finally, after a bunch of follow-up singles, come around to making “Saturday,” the proper follow-up, and of course released Saturday. Continue reading
A decade later: iTunes and digital downloads
Somehow in the midst of everything, I failed to post on a subject I had been waiting awhile to because an anniversary was coming. Well, it passed, but it still was a game changer for me and how I shop for music: The launch of iTunes and the iTunes Store for Windows, which happened in October of 2003. Continue reading
Christmas Present: Faith Evans’ ‘Christmas Wish’
While reviewing last year’s Christmas Present entries so I could see in which directions to expand the Christmas Present selections, I was surprised to discover I didn’t feature Faith Evans last year. Her Christmas album “A Faithful Christmas” has been on the playlist for a number of years now (the album was released in 2005), and particularly an original track, “Christmas Wish.” Continue reading
A new-ish tradition: Modern Christmas cards
Last year, I wrote about my efforts to have a bit of fun with the tradition of sending Christmas cards. Two years ago, thanks to Charles Apple, I became aware of Red Letter Paper Co., the creation of Stephanie Hinderer, a former visual journalist who found herself frustrated with what was in stores and took her own spin on Christmas cards. I’ve once again gravitated back to her store, as each year she refreshes the line with new choices and I never come away disappointed. Continue reading
Amazon’s ’25 Days of Free Holiday Songs’ returns
Last year, I shared with you Amazon’s 25 Days of Free Holiday Songs, a recurring promotion they have offered which features 25 free MP3s to download for the holidays. The good news is it’s back, and the mixed news is it’s about as good as last year’s batch. Continue reading
Christmas Present: Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Wrapped in Red’
Kelly Clarkson has been a force in the more than a decade since she first became a star as the first winner of “American Idol.” Her career of course has sustained itself on the power of a continuous string of strong tracks and her beautiful voice (she could sing the phone book). She didn’t rest in 2013, releasing some new tracks, a greatest hits CD, and a Christmas album, “Wrapped in Red.” Continue reading